Machine for cutting helical gears



Aug. 13, 1935. w. E. sYKl-:s

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 Q Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 13, 1935. w. E. sYKEs MACHINE CUTTING-HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 13, 1935. w. E. sYKl-:s

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. '6, 1930 Aug. 13, 1935. w E, SY'KS 2,010,970

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1950 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mzwlm 3 38,21 se 55" Ummm v SIAM? lzzal 82,83 m130/ZZal 35 77% l fwyw Aug, 13, 1935. w. E. sYKEs 2,010,970

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 g .14. 2,4/ Jg 240 ,245

g5 if s@ Aug. 13, 1935. w. E. SYKES 2,010,970

MACHINE FQR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 zoz z/ V Y /w //I//// //lllllllll//l/l//l/ll @s A H /se 203 I 93 ,fas '30 Aug. 13, 1935. I I w, E SYKES 2,010,970

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELIGAL GEARS Filed Aug.v 6, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Aug. 13, 1935. w. E. SYKES MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL-GEARS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 fr QQ Aug. 13, 1935. w, E. sYKEs MACHINE FOR CUTTING HELICAL GEARS Filed Aug, 6,' 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 A Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITEDV STATES PATENT OFF" Application August 6, 1930, Serial No. 473,331v 4 1 59 Claims.

. This invention relates to improvements ma.. chines for forming the teeth of gears, and while the inventionA comprises certain features which will be found advantageous in cutting straight toothed gears, such as spur gears and pinions for example, it is more particularly concerned with a machine for the cutting of helical or double helical teeth upon a gear blank in which one or bodily relieving movement to enable them to clear the work during their inoperative strokes, and to both cutters and work is imparted a continuous generating feeding or indexing movement to present the entire surface of the blank to the cutters.

The present application deals particularly with improvements in machines of the general type shown in my prior Patents No. 1,750,029, March 11, 1930, and No. 1,814,348, July 14, 1931, and

` is concerned with certain features of construction designed to improve by speeding up the operation, simplifying the structure and increasing the efficiency of the operation of machines of this character. This invention seeks to improve the operation .and product of machines of this character by simplifying and improving the structureof the driving mechanism, the cutter relief mechanism, the cutterfadjusting mechanism, by the provision of mechanism whereby the machine Will be substantially automatic in its operation, and by the provision of other improved features.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved gear cutting or generating machine.'

Another is to provide a gear cutting or generating machine that will be substantially automatic in its action whereby gears may be formed thereon on a `quantity production basis.

Another object is to provide mechanism in a gear cutting or generating machine that will gradually and automatically feed the work and tool relatively toward each other, and at the completion of the operation separate them and stop the machine.

Y Still another-'object is to provide an improved tool relief mechanism wherebythe relieving action of the tool will be more positive and accurate, as well as substantially smooth and silent.

Other objects of this invention include the provision of improved mechanism for adjusting and locking the tool carriers in working position, of a substantially self-aligning and readily adjustable (01.90-9) cutter 'indexing mechanism,` of improved andjreladily adjustable guiding mechanismfor thecutters,

of a disengaging andeasily adjustable work 'in- Y dexing mechanism, of an improved clutch-mech# anism, of an improved crankforj the reciprocating carriage and of improved cutterspindle struc#- tures.

Further, me; invention eentempietes simplifying generally Vthe operationfof` machines` of this characterand, providing a combination of mechanisms whichV will be comparatively economical tdmanufacture and especially'eflicient u'seL* To these and 'other ends, the invention con? sists in the novelfeatures and A-combinations of partsto be hereinafter described Vand el'aimedq In the accompanying drawin'gs4 l Fig. 1 is a plan View ofv a gear cutting mac :'ne', embodying the features and improvements f-my invention; L l Fig. 2v is a front elevation of the machine 4shown in Fig.1; y i *l a, leftfhand side` viewer epartpi'the Fig. "3 is Vmachine;A M n -Y Y Fig. 4 is a right-hand side view ofpart ofthe machine; j 'Y M Q f'f" l v Fig. 54is a sectional view online 5-5 of Figyl'; Fig." ,5A is a sectional 'view'- of agmodifiedjform of clutch mechanism; y I A Fig. 6 is 1a sectional view on line 6 6A of Fig'. 2; Fig. 7 is a continuationfof Fig.V 6; l f1 Fig.l '7A is asection 'lA- 1A of- Fig'. '7;" n Fig. '7B is acsection 1B-1B of FifgfflA; Fig'. 7C is a detail end 'view of one of theiciitter spindles; l j' Fig; 8 isa sectional@View o n line 8--8Aof Fig. 1; i Fig. Q is a sectional View on line tlf-9` of Fig. 8;'- Fig. ,10 isa sectionalview Online lll- Infof- Figa; e

Fig. 11 is adevelopment of along line H-ll of Fig. 10; u Fig.` 12V is avsectionalview on line. 12g-l2 of FiaZ; l C i Fig. 13 ,is a'sectional view on line |3,-l3 Qof, Fig.2; Fig. 14 is a sectional view on linelM-llljof Fig. 2;

Fig. 14A is a. sectional view on lineI of Fig. 14;; e Fig. 14B` is a sectionalhview on line, .1413', 11113` ofFig.14; Fig. 15 is an end viewof theV parts shownginl Fig. V

Fig.15A is a sectional View online 15A-45A f ,f-.1'gf.`l5;f` e

the' afer @da ssl inE

Fig.'16 is a sectional view on line I6-I6 of thereof and preferably integral therewith, and Fig. 4; which is received in a roller bearing 23a, mount- Fig. 17 is a sectional view on line I1-I1 of ed in carriage 23. The member 26e is provided Fig. 16; With a dove-tailed tongue 26 on an end face y Fig. 18 is a sectional view on line I8-I8 of thereof. The tongue 26 is slidably received in Fig. 16; a dove-tail groove 21al formed in a plate member Fig. 19 is a sectional view on line I9-I9 of 21b that is preferably integral with the shaft 21. Fig. 16; y One side 21C of the groove 21a is disposed at an Fig. 20 is a sectional view on line 20-29 of angle to the other. The plate members 26a and Fig. 18; 2lb, by the above connection, are permitted to Fig. 21 is a sectional' view on line 2I'-2I of slide relatively to each other transversely with re- Fig. 1;* Y spect to the axis of shaft 21, so that the amount Fig. 22 is a sectional view on line 2'2-22 of stud shaft 2Gb is eccentric to shaft 21 may be Fig. 2; varied. Plate member 26a is also provided with Fig. 23 is a sectional view on line 23-23 of a rib 26d that. is received in a groove 211 in plate Fig. 22; member 2lb to insure axial movement of one plate Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of index wheel drive mechanism;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view -on line 25-'25 of Fig. 24; Fig. 26 isa diagram illustrating the movement of! the cutter or tool during operation and resulting from the use of my improved' relief mechanism, and Y Fig. 27 is a view somewhat diagrammatic showing a somewhat modified form of tool relief and tool carrier guiding mechanism'. A

The machine selected to illustrate the features and improvements of this` invention is generally shown in Figs. 1` to 4 inclusive. A machine base lll is provided, upon the forward portion of the upper surface of which a work supporting base I.I is slidably mounted. A cutter carriage base I-2 is mounted upon the upper surface of the rear portion ofthe machine base I0. A cutter control housing I3 is mounted upon the upper surface of the forward portion of the machine base IU,

anda gear and control housing I4V is mounted upon the upper surface of the rear portion of machine base I 0. The work base II is slidable forwardly and rearwardly upon the machine Vbase ,Iaon Ways I and-v I6. Atail stock I1 is mounted upon the work base II, and supports an end of aft/012kv arbor I8 upon which work I9, comprising a gear blank, may be mounted and secured. The Work arbor lllT is secured to a face plate 2U, which inlturnis secured to a hollow shaft 2| The hollow shaft 2I is journaled inY bearings 22, formed in apart of the work base I I, one of such bear- Y ings being shown in Fig. 16'.

The carriage base I2 is rigidly secured to base I0, and disposed to the rear of the work base I I. A carriage-ZS. isreciprocably supported upon the carriage base I2, being mounted in a guideway 24and retained. therein by keeper plates 25. The carriage 23 is reciprocatedy by suitable crank shait mechanism 26,Y having a shaft 21 connected thereto, which is driven by means of the coopera-- tion of agear V2B securedA thereto with a pinion 29 secured upon a shaft 302. -In order to improve thel operation of the machine, the crank shaft mechanism 26' engages the carriage substantially midway between the ends thereof insteadv of at one end. Evenn'ess in operation and of Wear upon the Ways 24 results due to this arrangement- The shaft 3U is driven by a pulley 3I, which is secured theretoand is driven by a belt 32 from a pulley 33. 'The pulley 33 is secured to the armature shaft lofian electric motor 34. The operation' ofthe motor`34 may be controlled in the usual manner and also by means of' a cutout switch @see Figs. 4 and 18) 'I he crank shaft mechanism 26, Figs."7, 7A, and-7B, comprises a plate-like member 25a having a stud shaft 26D extending from one end rface member relatively to the other.

An adjusting screw 21e extends across plates 25a and 21h, and is disposed in a threaded groove 25e and the unthreaded groove 21f respectively formed in the abutting faces of the plate members. The adjusting screw 21e is headed at both ends as at Zf, plate 2lb being counterbored to pass each head 26f while said heads engage opposite ends of tongue 26C. Rotation of screw 21e will move plate 2Sa relatively to plate 21h in the direction desired.

vA tapered shim 25g is disposed between one side of tongue 25C and the angularly disposed side 21cv of groove 21H. A collar screw 21g, the collar of which engages shim 26g within a slot provided therein, is threaded into plate 21b and by rotation in one direction is adapted to force shim .25g in one direction to wedgeit between the tongue 25 andy groove side 21C 0i' plate 21h, to lock` these parts together and by rotation in the other direction to loosen the arrangement to permit adjustment of one plate relatively to the other.

A bevel gear 3G on shaft 21 meshes with and drives a bevel gear 31 on a shaft l313. A bevel gear 39' on shaft 38 meshes with and drives a bevel gear d, secured upon a vertical shaft ll that enters the gear and control housing Ill. A bevel gear 12 on shaft lll meshes with and. drives a large bevel gear 43, which by means of a clutch M and through a friction drive mechanism A15 drives shaftl upon which gear d3 is rotatably mounted. A gear l1 secured upon shaft l5 meshes with and drives a gear i8 secured to a horizontal shaft 49. A bevel gear 513 secured to shaft 49 meshes with and' drives.v a bevel gear 5I, secured to a shaft 52,'upon which a gear 53 of a set of change gears 53, 54', and 55 is secured. Gear 55 of this set of change gears is secured to a forwardly directed shaft 56, that enters a work index mechanism housing 51, secured to work base Il and is slidably connected to a worm 53, disposed therein to rotate the same. The worm 58 meshes with and drives a work indexing worm wheel 59 that is drivingly connected to the hollow shaft 2|.

A bevel gear 62, secured to shaft 43 within the gear housing Ill, meshes with and drives a bevel gear 6l, secured to a forwardlydirected shaft 62, that passes substantially through cutter control housing I3. A gear S3, secured to shaft 62 within housing I3, meshes with a pair of gears Eil and 55, one of which is disposed on either side of gear 63, and which are secured respectively to shafts 66 and 51. A worm 63 is secured to shaft BS, and a worm 69 is secured to shaft 51 within housing I3. The worms i323 and E9 mesh with and drive respectively cutter index worin wheels 1Q' and 1I.

` wardly directed shaft 13 and-extends into housing i3.` `A bevel gear 14, secured to shaft 13, within the ho-usingJB meshes Vwithandidrivesa bevel gear 15, securedV to ashaft 16, to which is secured a gear 11 that, through an idler pinion 18, drives a gear 19, secured upon a shaft 80, that extends across the machine in front of the carriage,23. l

',Ihe clutch 44, by meansof cooperating clutch teeth 8| and 82, formed respectively on agshiftable clutchmember 83 andu gear 43, connects shaft 48 to gear 43 to be driven thereby. A clutch operating yoke 84 is secured to a rod 85 that `extends forwardly into housing |3. The rod 85 has a gear 86 secured thereto which meshes with and is driven by agear 81.- e The gear 81 maybe rotated by means of a handle .88, connectedthereto by a short shaft. ,The handle 88 is disposed upon the frontface of housing I3` and by manipulation thereof to rotate gear; `81 in the to connect `the work and cutter indexing .worm Wheels 59 and10 and, 1| respectively, with the PQWer driven bevel gear 43. Y l

The modified form ,of clutch is adapted to be mounted upon shaft 46 in place of theclutchshown in Fig., 5, ,and will operate in suchposition when the shape ofthe clutch teethformed upon the` hub of bevel gear 43, is changed, as will hereinafter be described. The clutch operating yoke 84 and rod 85 need not be altered.l A clutch sleeve 83a having a clutch yoke receiving groove 83b formed about its circumference is mounted upon shaft 46, being keyed thereto for rotation therewith, and beingl slidable relatively thereto. The sleeve 83a is normally retained with its clutch teeth in clutched relation with the clutch teeth upon gear `4? by a coiled spring 83C, the tension of which may be varied by means of` nutsA 83d that iare threaded on a sleeve 836,'which in turn is secured to shaft 46;` lThe groove83b` is Wider than the width of yoke 84, permitting lost motion therebetween. A

bell crank leveris pivoted to yoke 84, `one arm 84a of this lever engaging one side of groove 83@l and the other arm 84b extending outwardly and upwardly to engage the operating handle .of a

-, motorcutout switch 84, that by suitable electrical connections is adapted ltoppen the control circuits of motor 34 to stop the same.

The driving faces ofthe cooperating clutch teeth-between sleeve 83a` and the hub of gear 43,

; are inclined, as shownat-` 43a andtend` to open `generally due to jams `or other trouble` of, like nature in the parts driven by gear 43, and, therefore,`this arrangement provides ai safety means to prevent damage. l l

A pair of pinion-shaped cutters 89 and 90, having teeth resembling gear teeth formed upon the periphery thereof and adapted by `havingtheopposing `ends of the teeth thereof provided with cutting edges to cut material from the gear blank i9, by a reciprocating mpivementacross the facesfrom the top Qfthemachine.

thereof,.aresecured to cutter shafts 9| and 92 respectively. Cuttershaft 9| is hollow and shaft 9,2 extends therethrough. The cutter shaft 9| is journaled in a cutter support 93, and cutter shaft y9,2 `is secured by means of a bolt 94 to` a spindle.

95, that is journaledin a cutter support 86.- The 4cutter supports 93 and 96 are slidably securedto cutter carriers 91 and 98 respectively, for movement relatively thereto transversely with respect to the cutter axes. The carriers 91 and-98 are slidably secured to the carriage 23 for movement in either direction therealong parallel to the re,- ciprocatory movement thereof.V Y

The spindle 95 is of. such form that it may be reversed `end for end inthe support 96 to permit the disposition of `cutter 99, as shown Ain Fig., '1, but-spaced further from cutter 89 at the other side of` holder 96. The counterbores at each end ofthe spindle 95 are, therefore, identically formed so vas to properly receive `the conical surface 92% and the rectangularly-shaped lug 92h, formed on thegend of shaft '92. By tightening bolt 94 the l,conical surface 92au is drawn tightly against the surface of a similarly shaped counter-bore. 95a in spindlek 9,5,V and retains the lug 92b within a similarly vformedopening 95b in spindle 95 to provide an efficient and concentric driving connectionbetween the shaft 92 and the spindle 95. By refer- Ybe described. Figs. 1 and 13 illustrate the manner of detachably securing the cutter carriers 91 and 98 to the carriage 23.` The carriage 23 is providedlwith, a guideway 99 in the front` face thereof, into which a rearwardly extending bifurcated part |99 of eachoarrier extends and' by` which the carriers are guided; Between theseparated portions of the part |99 is disposed a rotatable nut |0|, having a spiral toothed pinion |02, formed integral therewith. The nut |8| is provided withinternal threads |83 that cooperate with exterior threads |04,` formed on a rod |85 that extendsfrom end to end of the carriage 23,' within the guideway 99, and is secured at each endv thereof to the carriage 23 Vin such a manner that it is not permitted to rotate. A spiral toothed pinion l 86 meshing with the pinion |92, is secured upon a shaft |01 that extends forwardly away fromrthe carriage 23 to present its outer end at the front of the machine, whereby it is conveniently accessible. The shaft |91 is suitably journaled in the respective cutter carrier. By rotation of shaft |81 by means of a wrench in engagement with the forwardly disposed ends |88 thereof, the respective cutter carrier 91 or 98 may be moved longitudinally with respect to and along the carriage 2.3 in either direction.

The cutter carriers 91 and 98 may be clamped to the carriage 23,by means-of U-shapeol clamping bars |89 and` H9, that dueto beveled shoulders |4| and 2, formed on each `and which cooperate with beveled shoulders I3 and 4 formed on the P carriers,` draw these parts together Ywith the opposing surfaces ||5 and HS respectively, in tight` engagement by means of bolts` ||1 and H8, the upper ends ||9'of which are readily accessible lil jio

The cutter supports 93 and 96 are secured to the cutter carriers 91 and 38 respectively, in a similar manner and, therefore, only one' will be described. Figs. 'Tand 12 illustrate the slidable connection between these structures. The cutter supports are each provided with a rearwardly directed extension |20 that is slidably supported in a guideway |2l, formed in the carriers 91 and 88, and may move relatively thereto, to carry the cutters toward or away from the gear blank being cut at substantially right angles to the axis thereof. The forward movement of the cutter supports is limited by means of stops Sla and 98a thaty are secured to carriers 91 and 9S respectively, and which are engaged by rear portions |23a formed on each support (seeFig. 7). A vertically disposed member |22 is slidably mountedin a guideway |2221, formed in each cutter support. The member |22 is provided with extensions |23 and |24 that are engaged in guideways |25 and |25V respectively, that are formed `in the respective cutter carrier, above and below respectively the cutter support extending portion |20.

When cutting relatively straight-sided grooves or teeth, it has been found desirable `to-arrange the cutter support so that itwill .slide toward and away from the blank at right angles-.tothe axis thereof and at a slight inclination to ahorizontal radius thereof, and this has been effected in this instance by slightly inclining the guideway in which the rearwardly directed extensionof the cutter supports are disposed. The inclination so provided will permit the cutting tool, during its relief movement, to be pulled not only directly away'from the blank and out of the groove but also away from the side of the groove, which, due to the continuous generating or rotating move; ment given to the blank is approaching the'side cutting edge of the tool. The inclination, therefore, is on a line directed atan angle from a line drawn through the center points of the blank and.` cutter, the line being inclined in the direction of the rotating movement of the blank or as it might be expressed, the inclination is on a line directed at an angle to the plane of the axes of both the blank and the cutter. This is illustrated in Fig. 27 wherein the extension |29c is slidably supported in a guideway |2|c formed in carrier 91s, the guideway' |2|c being slightly inclined rearwardly and downwardly in the direction of rotation of gear blank ISC. Operation, as above described, of the relief mechanism and by movement of .member |22c will cause the cutter to be pulled away from the blank to relieve its cutting edge both from the bottom and side of the groove or tooth being cut therem.

The front and rear guide surfaces |21 and |28 of extension |23, and the front and rear guide surfaces |29 and |33 of extension |24 arel forwardly inclined so that movement of the member |22 downwardly will cause it to move bodily rearwardly therewith and away from the gear blank being cut. Movement of the member v|22 upwardly will cause itto move bodily forwardly, carrying the respective cutter support forwardly or toward the gear blank being cut.

The upper extension |23 of member |22 is provided with a guideway |3| in which is slidably disposed a plunger |32. Suitable means, such as a screw stud |33, is provided whereby one of the plungers |32 of the machine may be longitudinally adjusted with respect to the extension |23 and upwardlytoward a cam |34, which is disposed in a v housing |35 formed integral with cutter carrier 31, and the other plunger |32 of the'machine may be similarly adjusted upwardly and toward a cam |33` disposed-in a housing |31, formed integral with cutter carrier 98. Cams |34 and |36 are slidably mounted upon shaft for axial move` ment thereon while being secured thereto for rotation therewith. The housings` |35 and |31 entirely enclose the cams and the cooperating plungers |32 so las to permit the immersion of these parts in oil.

A compression spring |38 disposed in an opening |139 extending 'upwardly through the lower extension |24 of member |22 and into the body portion thereof, acts against-a plate |40 secured to the lowersurfaceof the respective cutter carrier to constantly'urge the member |22 upwardly to maintain the plungers |32 in contact with the peripheral surface |4-| of the respective cam |34 or |36. The peripheral surface |4| of each cam, by its action upon the member |22 through plunger |32, is formed to move member|22 downwardly whereby the respective cutter will be moved away from the blank beingcut, and to maintain the member |22 in such position during the non# cutting operation, and then to abruptly permit the member |22 by the action of the spring 138 to move upwardly whereby the respective cutter will be moved toward the blank, and to maintain the member |22 in such position during the cutting operation. In order to insure positive action of plungers |32, a resilient strap |3221, preferably of spring steel, may be connected at each end to the plunger and looped over the respective cam |34 or |33 whereby rotation of such cam will raise as well as lower the respective plunger. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 12. The cams |34 and |33 may be arranged upon shaft 80 in such a manner that as one cutter is moved toward the blank to start cutting, the other cutter is moved away from the blank to-relieve the cutting edges Athereof from the same.

The above described relief mechanism is particularly eiicient in that it operates to back the cutting Vedgesaway from the shoulder or apex of the helical cut while drawing the cutting tool from the groove or tooth being out, obviating any pos'- sibility of the cutting edges marring any of the surfaces 'of the blank during such withdrawal. Fig. 26 diagrammatically illustrates this movement of the cutting tool. Assuming that the cutter` 89 has completedv its reciprocatory stroke, the relief mechanism operates to draw it away from the blank I9 ina direction indicated at X in Fig. 26. While the withdrawing or relief movement is takingplace the reciprocating movement of' the carriage 23 has been reversed and,l coincidently with this, the relief device is acting to draw the cutting tool axially away from the blank in the direction indicated at Y in Fig. 26. The joint effect of components X and Y is a movement of the cutting tool in the direction indicated at Zin Fig. 26, whereby the cutting edges of the tool are relieved from the cut in the blank at an acute angle in respect to the axis of the blank. In the form' shown the angle is approximately 45 but the acuteness of the angle of rearward movement can be varied within fairly wide limits.

The cutter shafts 9| and 92 extend'to one side of the machine and are secured respectively to helical guides |42 and |43, guide |42 being hollow to permit shaft 92 to pass therethrough. In this instance, hollow shaft 9| is provided with a tapered Vend Ma that ts in a correspondingly tapered opening |22a in guide |42, a key |42b being provided to additionally insure rotative connection between these parts. The guide |42 is prosans guide extension |42c so that upon rotation of theA collar 9|@ in one direction the tapered end 9|?L of shaft 9| willbe forced into the tapered opening 9|d and locked therein, and `upon rotation in the other direction will be withdrawn therefrom.

Each of the helical guides is provided with a pair of helical grooves |44 and |46 inguide |42, and |45 and |41in guide |43. The grooves are disposed in the peripheral surface of the guides at diametrically opposite sides thereof. The grooves |44 and |46 arev in the form of a left-hand helix andlrgrooves |451and |41 are in the form of a right-hand helix. Each of the grooves are adapted to receive a guide nut, each of which is composed of a stationary part |48 and a movable part |49: The guides |42 and |43 are` slidably mounted within sleeves |59 and |5`| respectively, that are secured by means of :screws |52 and |53 within hollow bearing hubs '|54 and |55 respectively,

that are secured to or formed as a part of worm wheels 1I and 19, respectively. (See Figs. 6, 8,

and 9). c YEachof theworm wheels`1l| and 1| is rotatably supported within housing i3 by similar structure and, therefore, only one set of parts forming `this structure will be described. The worm wheel 10 having the hollow bearing hubs |55 is supported in a frame |55 with the bearing hubs |55 journaled irrbearings |51 and1I58, disposed therein, bearing |58 being a sleeve member that is suitably secured to the frame and which forms a bearing for aswingable member |59. The frame |56 is l" provided with frontand rear guides |69 and iBI` respectively, that are received in guideways |62 and |63,`:respec tively, formed inthe front yand rear Walls respectively, of thehousing I3. The cooperationA of guides |60 and I6| with and in guideways |62 and |63, is such that the 'frame |56 is permitted to slide forwardly or rearwardly in respect to the machine. Compression springs |64, seated within suitable openings in the front guide |69, constantly urge the frame |56 rearwardly.

'The swingable member |59 is provided with a` downwardlyoirected bifurcated extension |65, that is adapted to slidably receive a block |654 in which the eccentric portion |61 of a pivotrod '|58' is journaled. The member |59 is, therefore,

pivoted upon rod |68 and the effective pivot point l. thereof is adjustable by rotating the rod |68 in the desireddirection by means ofa wrench in engagement with the outer end |59 thereof. The

body portion of the member |59 encircles sleeve |58 and is provided with an upwardly directed arm |19., A cam follower'lll is secured to the upper end of arm |19 and has o-ne'end thereof in engagement with the cam |12, which is secured "to shaft 1s, within the housing i3, 'and has the other end .thereof engaged by a compression spring |13 that constantly urges the follower 51| toward and into engagement with the peripheral `camrning surface of cam |12. i The rotation of rod I 58 will cause the aforesaid pivot point of member |59 to be disposed either forwardly or rearwardly of its vertically aligned position with shaft 92 or 9|, as the case may be.

. .By this Ameans the normal position of the mechanism in respect to the machine may be adjusted' to adjust the position of the respective shaft 9| or 92 transversely with respect to its axis relatively to the blank |9.

The cam surface of cam |12 is timed to permit wardly with respect to the machine. Cam |12 `being secured to shaft 16, which in turn is geared to shaft 89, upon which cam |36 is secured, Will actV coincidentally therewith, and cutter shaft 92 will be moved uniformly in its entirety toward or away from the gear blank being cut. A cam |14 also secured to shaft 1.6, through the sameinstrumentalities as those described abo-ve with respect to cam |12, operates coincidentally with cam |34,

' which is secured to shaft 88 to similarly move cutter shaft 9|.

The stationary part |48 of each guide nut is rigidly secured to the inner surface of. the respective sleeve |59 or |5|, by screws |15, while the` movable part |49 of each guidenut is slidably secured thereto for movement axially thereof, by

means of a screw |16 that threads into thevnutA and passes through an elongated opening in the sleeve which is elongated longitudinally, With respect to the nut parts andthe groove in which said nut is disposed. A pair of yoke members |11 are secured to the end of each sleeve |50 and I5| and overhang the ends of the movable nut parts |49. An adjusting screw |18 is threaded into the overhanging portion of each of said yoke members. The screw |18 is adapted to engage an end surface |19 of nut portion |49 to slidingly move this portion relatively to the stationary portion |48. The portion |48 is provided with short edgel surface portions |88 and |8| disposed at either end thereof and that are in parallel with and directed axially with respect to the respective cutter shaft axis, and are inclined with respect to the sides of the grooves. The edge surface portions` |89 and|8| of part l|48 are in engagement with similarly formed and disposed edge surface portions |82 and |83 respectively, lprovided on part |49. Due to the cooperation of these edge surface portions the `movement ofY the movablelpart I 49 by the screw |18 will cause the edge surfaces |84 and |85 of parts 48 and |49, that are in engagement with the sides of the helical grooves in the helical guides |42 and |43, to tend to move away Vfrom each other and thereby more tightly engage the side walls of these grooves. A

This arrangement permits the adjustment of the guide nut to compensate for Wear and insures a smooth movement of the helical guides during the reciprocating movement thereof. By the above arrangement, the nut parts may be permitted to extend along the groove substantially the entire length of the respective sleeve ,|58 or I5I, thus insuring sufficient surface contact for an efficient bearing. The provision. of two guide nuts diametrically disposed in eachof the sleeves, insures uniform twisting strains upon the parts `and avoids the possibility of the re-l spectivecutter shafirlrieingY sprung out of alignment. l

The work base is slidable toward and away from the cutters 89 and 90 upon ways I5 and I6.

T tained therein against axial movement.

This operation may be manuallyperformed by rotation of hand wheel |89, that is secured to the outer end of a shaft |81, journaled in a bearing |88 formed in the machine base I9 and re- 'I'he inner end of shaft |81 is threaded to fit within a nut |89 that is secured to an auxiliary base |90 (see Fig. 21) The auxiliary base |95 is slidably Vmounted upon the machine base 1B on ways I9I and |92, for movement forwardiy or rearwardly in respect to the machine. The work base is also adapted to ride upon ways I9! and |92. A relatively longbolt |93 exten-ds through the work base and is secured to the auxiliary base |99.

r A'nut |94 that engages the end of a sleeve |95 is adapted to force the sleeve |95 against a block |95 to clamp the auxiliary base |99 to the ways |9| and |92 and therefore dispose it stationary with respect to base |9 (see Fig. 23) A stud bolt 2Q.. |91 secured to auxiliary base |99 and extending gl may be operated to move the work base il forwardly or rearwardly as desired.

A roller |99 is rotatably mounted upon the rear end of auxiliary base |59, and when nut |98 is loosened and nut |95 tightened, is engaged by the 3Q.. periphery of the cam 29| that is urged forwardly iby compression springs 259. The cam 29| is secured to a shaft292, journaled in the work base ii. The springs 299 (see Fig. 22) are seated in openings 253 formed in the auxiliary base |59,

;.. and act against a block 295 secured to the base through screws 255 by which the tension thereof is adjustable, the screws 295 threadingly engaging plungers 295 that are slidably disposed in openings in base and engage the springs 259.

The shaft 292 extends to the right-hand side of the machine land into a housing 291 formed on the base Ii. A gear 288 andV cams 299 and 2|il are securedto the'end of shaft 252, that is disposed in housing 291 (see Figs. 18 and 20). Gear 288 meshes with a pinion 2|! secured upon one end of a short shaft 212 journaled in a bearing 2|3 formed on'base il. A bell crank lever 2M is rotatably mounted upon shaft 2|2 adjacent pinion 2H. Agear 2|5 is secured to the other end of shaft 212, the teeth of which are adapted to' mesh with the teeth of an interrupted toothed gear 2 6,

thatris rotatably mounted upon a hub portion 2i1- of the work index gear 59. The gear 2|B is provided upon one end face thereof with bevel v gear teeth 218, and upon the other end face with ratchet teethl 2 9.

tion 2|8 is cut away Opposite the toothed portion 22| of gear 2|5 and peripherally beyond toothed portion 22| at each end thereof, as at 222 (see Figs. 18 and 19). The periphery of the beveled toothed portion 24H3, that is not cut away as at 65131222, isadapted to be received and to rotate Il ...notches or grooves 223 formed in the periphery of a mask or plate 221i, that is secured to an end face of gear 2|5 by screws 225. In this instance, only four grooves 223 are formed in the periphery 'mof mask 224.

rIfhe bell crank 2 Eli is provided with an arm 226, the outer end 221 of which is in engagement with the peripheries of cams 263 and 2 i8. A groove 228 is formed inthe periphery of. cam 2 I9, and a lug 75521229: is/provided upon the periphery of cam 299,

the former permitting the end 221 of arm. 226 to. drop therein and the bell crank 219 to rock in one direction and the latter to raise the end 221 and rock the bell crank 2M in another direction. Another arm 235 of the bell crank is provided with a roller 23| rotatably mounted thereon. The roller 23| engages an operating lever 232 of the cut-out switch 35, which electrically controls motor 39 through leads 233 and 234 and power supplying'cables 235 and 235.

Another arm 231 provided on the bell crank 2 I4, extends through the housing 291 at the front of the machine and visibly indicates to the operator the disposition of bell crank 2M. For instance, when the arm end 221 is in groove 228 of,

cam 219, the arm 231 will be depressed into its lowermost position; when the arm end 221 is raised by lug 229 on cam 299 the arm 231 Will be raised into its uppermost position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 18, indicating that the switch 35 is open, and when the machine is in operation and the switch 35 is closed, arm 231 will be in its intermediate position, as shown in full lines. The position of switch lever 232 and arm 259 when the switch is open is also shown in dotted lines in Fig. 18.

An upper part or cover 229 is provided for a work index mechanisrnfhousing 51. The cover 238 is provided with an upwardly facing recessv 239, in which is seated a journal box 299 in which end extensions 22| and 242 formed on worm 58 are'journaled. The extensions 24| and 292 and worm 58, are hollow to permit axial movement of shaft 58 therethrough, shaft 59 being keyed to extension 24| by a key 293. The journal box 24|] may be raised and lowered but is'maintained against longitudinal movement relatively to the cover 238 by means of bolts 252 and 295, vertically elongated openings 296 being formed in the cover 238 and through which these bolts pass to permit vertical movement of box 249. The journal box 299 may be raised or lowered by an eccentric stud 291, which is journaled` in cover 238 and has its eccentric member 2619 in engagement with the box 2139 in an opening provided therefor. The amount of upward movement imparted to the box 299 by the eccentric stud 291 is sufficient to raise the worm 59 out of mesh with the worm wheel 59 so as to permit the turning of wheel 59 manually by hand Wheel 25 that is secured upon a shaft 232 journaled in the housing 51, and upon which a bevel pinion 283 is secured that is in mesh with the bevel teeth 2| of gear 2|6, when such operation is desired. By means of handles 259, provided upon the nuts of the bolts 244 and 2,55, the journal box 229 may be clamped inV raised or lowered position.

The part orcover 238 is slidably mounted upon housing 51 for movement longitudinally with respect to the box 249 and substantially axially with respect to the axis of the worm 58. Cooperating surfaces 259 and 2239a of the cover 238 and housing 51 respectively, are inclined downwardly toward the rear of the machine, and relative movement of these parts upon these surfaces is obtained by the rotation of a collared screw 259, that is threaded into housing 51. Collar 25| of the screw 259 engages the cover 238 in a groove 25|e, provided in surface 259 thereof. By rotation of screw 259 the degree of mesh between the teeth of worm 58 and wheel 59 may be adjusted to compensate for wear. Bolts 259 may be tightened to maintain the cover 2387in its adjusted position.

A similar adjustment is provided between the Worms 68 and 69 and worm Wheels 1|]` and,1|. of A75.

Vscribed is as follows.

@"At the completion of each stroke the cutter index mechanism, disposed in housing I3. The shafts 66 and 61 of the worms 68 and 69 respectively, are journaled in 'bearing carriers 252 that are slidably mounted upon the upper surface of frame |56, the cooperating surfaces 253 and 254 of which respectively are inclined downwardly toward the rear of the machine. The bearing carriers 252 are movable in respect to the frame |56 by means of a screw 255, that is providedwith a collar 256 which is in engagement with the carrier 252 within a suitable groove formed in the surface 253 thereof. Bolts 251 and 258 may be tightened to hold the carrier 252` and retain worms 68 and 69 in their adjusted position.

` vThe modied form of work index wheel drive mechanism illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25, com prises a cover or part 265 adapted to be slidably mounted upon Ithe housing 51 that encloses the worm wheel 59. A worm 266 is journaled in the cover 265 and its form and manner of its connection with shaft 56 is similar to Vthat described above with respect to worm 58. The arrangement whereby the teeth of worm 266 are moved outof meshwith the worm wheel 59, is `of somewhat different form. In this instance, the worm end extensions 261 and 268 are journaled in bushings` 269 and 219 respectively, extension 261 being axially removable from bushing 269 and extension 268, with bushing 219 being axially removablel from the cover 265. A cap 21| threadingly lengaging the outer end of bushing 219 also threadingly engages a plate 212 that is secured to the end of cover 265. The engagement between cap 21| and plate '212 is formed by interrupted screw threads 213 and 214, formed on each respectively, whereby by turning the cap 21| substantially a quarter of a revolution it may be drawn axially away from the threaded portion of plate 212. Being at the same time threadingly engaged with bushing 219 a continued axial movement of cap 21| will draw the bushing 219 and `worm 266 out of the cover 265, the bushing 219being secured-to the worm 266 by clamping itthereon between thrustbearings 215 and 216 by means of `nuts 211.V

The operation of the machine as above de,-

Assuming that the gear blank I9 has been mounted upon the arbor I8, which is rotatably supported upon tail-stock I1 and drivingly connected to the face plate 29, that suitable cutters 89 and 99 have been `mounted upon cutter shafts 9| and 92 respectively, and

adjusted relatively to the gear blank I9, by adjust-` ment of carriers 91 and 98 upon carriage 23, as

, above described, and tha-t the change gears 53, 54, ,5,5-

and 55 are of the proper ratio, the motor 34 may be started, which through belt 32 to pulley 3| and the` associated shafts and gearing, as above described, will cause the carriage 23 to reciprocate and carry the cutters 89 and 99 back and forth across the face of the blank I9. n The guide nuts that are' disposed in the helical grooves formedinthe helical guides |42 and |43, that are secured to cutter shafts 9| and 92 respectively, will impart a twisting movement to the cutters at each stroke thereof. Y

the cutters are drawn from `or moved toward the blank 9 by thel action of the cutter supports 93 and 96, caused "by the'movement of members |22, due to the The structure and combination of elements of this mechanism insures zaccurate `and positive reliefY action `for the cutters, which is performed'in a quiet and smooth manner. Coincidentally with their relief movement at each cutter, the index mechanism Vtherefor is likewise shifted` by the novel structure described above, and including the frames |56 and cams|12 and |14, whereby'no lateral strainsare placed upon the. cutter` shafts and due to which they are retained inlparallel and concentric to their respective axes. The frames |56 being Aspring controlled in one 'direction of their possible movement, the cutter index mechanisms, with the respectiveshafts controlled thereby, are substantially'self-aligning whereby transverse strains upon either1 shaft in one directionwill be relieved. The clutch 44 may now be shifted into clutched position whereby the blank |9and cutters"89 and 90 through the associated gearing, and as above described, will beY given ai continuous gear tooth generating action whereby during the cutting operation the pinion-like cutters B9 andgi) will mesh with the teeth on the blankas they are being cut and generatev the proper form therefor.

After starting the mechanisms as Vabove de` scribed, the Ablank I9 may be fed into cutting position against the cutters by means ofthe hand wheel |96, after looseningnu't |94fandtightening nut |99 for the purposeabove described. After the blank I9 is in the desired position ini respect to the cutters 89 and 99, the nutm|98 is loosened and nut |94 tightened torelease theV work base from possible movement by means of the hand wheel |86 and to place in operation` the `automatic feed-in mechanism for the blank.

The tightening of nut |94 clamps the auxiliaryl base |99 to the ways |'9| and |92, and the. loosening of nut |98 releases the work base |,I fromthe auxiliary base |99 and places it under the infin,-V

, ence of springs 299, that urge it forwardly to in# sure-positive engagement of the cam 29| with `roller |99. YThe work base IIv is now free to slide ing driven by shaft292the action of cam 29| is controlled by mechanism associated with theu work index worm wheel. 59, comprising gears 298, 2||, mask224, gear 2|5, interrupted gear 2|6, ratchet teeth 2 I9 and pawl 229. In this instance,A

' the interrupted gear 2|6 rotates with theworm wheel 59 and when its teeth 22| mesh with the?. teeth of gear 2|5 the Vlatter is rotated substantially a quarter of a revolution. Gear 2|6 andf wheel 59, therefore, make four revolutions Vtol every one of gear 2|5, the mask224, by the cooperation ofV the notches or grooves 223 therein with the uncut portion of the periphery ofthe beveled gear, toothed portion` 2|8 of gear 2||,` retaining gear 2|5 against rotation during sub stantially three-quarters of each revolution .of gear 2|6. f,

Gear 2|| rotateswith gear 2I5 andfbeing in, mesh with gear 298 causes rotation ofshaft 292 and cam 29|.1V The ratio of gear 2|I to gear 298, in this instance, is such that gear 2| willl make two revolutions while driving gear 298Y one revolution. Gears 2|| and 298 may be re-f` placed with other' gears to provide different speed sor;

ratios when conditions, such as diierencein material, in the size of the gear being cut, or others, 'makes such changes desirable. In this instance however, the cam 2B! will make substantially one T5 complete revolution for every eight revolutions or" the worm wheel 59 or of the blank i9, during which the blank, through the influence of the cam'ZEll as above described, will be fed at intervalsiuniformly toward the cutters, whereby the i depth of the teeth being cutthereon will be uniformly increased until the required depth and shape of tooth has been formed.

' After the proper form and depth of tooth has V been out upon blank i9, the lug 229 provided on cam 209, whichhas been rotating with cam 21H, will engage arm 226 of bell crank 2 Iii to rock the same Vwhereby the arm 23B of this bell crank by the engagement of roller 23! with the switch lever 232 will swing the latter to openswitch 35 and'stop the motor Sli. Substantially simultaneously with the opening of switch 35, the roller |99 will drop upon the lowermost portion 261i of the periphery ofrcam Ztl, whereby the springs 29B will act' to draw the work 'base Hand blank I9 forwardly away from the cutters 39 and 96.

It will be obvious that the machine illustrated and disclosed in this application is substantially completely automatic in its operation. When the blank is once in place .and when the cutters have been properly adjusted so that they move up to the center line of theblank, the machine may be set into operation and will operate to produce the iinished gears without further attention on the part of the operator.

yDuring the operation of thevmachine, the work will be fed toward the cutters by the action of the cam 26! so that the cutters gradually cut more deeply into the metal of the blank and in' time work to depth so as to form completely finished teeth. It will be observed that the cutters Awill have traveled over the entire surface ofl the blank several times, that is to say, the blank will have been turned by the index mechanism through several revolutions during one revolution of the cam so that before the work is nished full depth teeth will be cut over the entire surface of the blank. After the teeth have been cut to full depth the work is withdrawn from the cutters by springsil and the motor 34 is stopped. Due to these automatic operations an o-perator may attain to a plurality of machines whereby gears may be efficiently and economically manufactured in quantity.

I do not particularly claim herein the combination of a base, a work support, and means to slide said support upon the base in `a series of interrupted steps during the rotation Vof the work a part of one revolution; a guide nut disposed in the helical groove which -is adjustable relatively to the width of the groove to insure proper bearing therein; or cutter relief mechanism including a continuously rotatable cam as described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,814,348, July I4, 1931. It will be obvious Vfrom the above that the imachine, while having been described yparticularly with respect to its form and operation as applied to the formation of double helical gears, may also be operated, with slight changes in equipment as understood by mechanics familiar 'with such machines, to form single helical gears, straight toothed gears, sprocket wheels, splined shafts, and helical grooves in shafts or in flat surfaces, and that it can generate square, hexagonal, octagonal orsimilar contours upon the Asurfaces of rods` and the like, to form the peripheries of cams, castellations, etc., and that a construction is provided whereby if desired the blank surface can be provided with various forms of intersecting grooves.

While I have shown and described embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all the details shown,but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v

1..In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriager reciprocably mounted thereon, a cutter carrier adjustably mounted upon said carriage and having a surface in engagement with an adjacent Vsurface on said carriage, and means acting trans-v versely with respect to said surfaces to clamp one against the other to secure said carrier to said carriage, means to adjust said carrier upon said carriage by moving one relatively to the other in the direction of the reciprocating move-y ment of said carriage, said means comprising a threaded rod on one of said parts and a thread engaging rotatable member on the other, and means extending to the front oi the machine for actuating said rotatable member.

2. In a gear cutting machine, a reciprocableA carriage, a cutter carrier mounted thereon means to adjust said cutter carrier relatively to and along said carriage, comprising a non-rotatable threaded rod secured to oneo said parts and a rotatable thread engaging member carried by the other of said parts and cooperating with said threaded rod, and means extending to the front ofv the machine for actuating said rotatable member.

3. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said frame, a cutter support mounted on said car-v riage for movement toward and away therefrom substantially at right angles thereto, and means to so move said cutter support comprising a positively movable .part having an inclined portion andvavsubstantially straight portion interposed between said ,support and said carriage, and movable transversely with respect to the direction cf the reciprocating movement of said carriage.

4. In a gear cutting machine of the type described comprising a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said frame, a cutter support mounted on saidcarriage, said carriage and said support being movable relatively toward and away from each other, and means to so move said parts comprising a machine part interposed be` tween'said support and said carriage and having a substantially straight portion in engagement with one, and having an inclined portion acting against the other, said machine part being movable relativelyto both and transversely with respect to the direction of the reciprocating movement of saidcarriage to cause one to be moved relatively toward and away from the other.-

5. In a gear cutting machine of the type de* scribed, a carriage member having a cutter support member thereon, and means to cause a relative movement of one of said members toward andvaway from the other comprising a shiitable machine part having a straight portion and an inclined portion, the straight portion being mounted in and acting against one of the aforesaid members and theA inclined portion being mounted in and acting against the other; when said machine part is shifted to move one of a preferred said members relatively to` the other as aforesaid. v

6. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a reciprocable machine part having another machine part movably mounted thereon, and means to move one of said parts relatively to the other toward and away therefrom comprising a member longitudinally movable with respect to its length and transversely with respect to the reciprocating movement of oneof said machine parts, and having an inclined surface in engagement `withone of` said parts and having a substantially straight surface in engagement with the other of said parts.

7. In a gear cutting machine ofthe type described, a machine part having another machine part movably mounted thereon, one of said machine parts being reciprocable, and means to move one of said parts relatively to the other toward and away therefrom comprising a member longitudinally movable with respect to its length and transversely with respect to thereciprocating movement of one of said machine parts, and having an inclined surface in engagement with one of said parts and having a substantially straight surface in engagement with the other of said parts, and means ,to move said member in synchronismwith the movement of said reciprocating machine part. Y

8. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a machine part having another machine part movably mounted thereon, one of said-machine parts being reciprocable, and means to move one of said parts relatively to the other toward and away therefrom comprising a member longitudinally movable with ,respect` to its length 'and transversely with respect to the reciprocating movement of one of said machine parts, and havng'an inclined surface in engagement with one of said parts, and being in engagement with the other of said parts, and a rotatable cam in engagement with said member to move it at the completion of a stroke of said reciprocating machine part. i l

9. In a gear cutting machine of the. type-described, a cutter shaft, a supporting and driving mechanism for-said shaft, said mechanism being mounted on said machine for sliding movement transversely with respect to the axis of said shaft, and means to so slide said mechanism comprising a member pivoted Yat one end,

, means to rock said member about its pivot, and

means to adjust the pivot point thereof `trans- Versely with respect to said shaft.

10. In a gear cutting machine wherein al cutter is reciprocated across the face of a rotatable work blank, a work support slidably mounted upon a base for movement toward and away from said cutter, meansto rotate the work on said work support, and means to move said work support toward Asaid cutter, said last named means comprising a cam, means to rotate said cam intermittently in synchronism with said work rotating means, and means to intermittently restrain said cam against rotation. l Y

11. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriage reciprocably mounted thereon,y a shaft secured rigidly in saidl carriage, a` cutter carrier slidably mounted on said carriage and having means engaging said shaft, andmeans on said carrier to actuate said engaging means 'forl moving said cutter carrier alongsaid shaft `to adjust it along said carriage in the directioniof movement thereof, said means including an OP- secured rigidly in said carriage, a cutter car- =l rier mounted onsaid carriage, and means on said carrier for moving said cutter carrier along said shaft to adjust it in the direction of movementv of the carriage, said means including an operating member extending toward the front of the machine and there accessible for operation.

13. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, acarriage reciprocably mountedithereon, a shaft secured rigidly in said carriage, a pair of cutter carriers each having means engaging saidshaft, and means on each of said carriers to `actuate said engaging means thereon for independently moving each of said carriers along said shaft to adjust them along said carriage in the direction of reciprocating movementthereof, said means including an operating member extending toward the front of the machine.

14. In agear cutting machine of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said frame, a cutter carrier, a cutter support mounted.on said cutter carrier for Vmovement toward and away from ther carriage, and means to move said cutter support comprising a positively movable part engaging` both said support and carrier by passing through one and into the other, and means to move said part longitudinally with respect to its length.

15. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said Y frame, a cutter carrier, a cutter support mounted on said cutter carrier for movement toward and away from the carriage at substantially right angles to the direction of reciprocation thereof, and means'to move said cutter support comprising a member mounted in one of said parts for movement substantially at right angles to the rec'procating movement of said carriage, said member having an inclined surface bearing against another of said parts.

16. In a gearA cutting machine. of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said frame, a cutter'support mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from the carriage, and means to move said cutter support comprising "a lmember Vinterposed between Said parts and movable relatively thereto in a direction substantially at right angles to the reciprocation thereof to move the cutter carrier relatively to the carriage in a direction substantially at right angles to the reciprocating movement thereof, means to positively move said member in one direction, and spring means to return said member to its initial position.

17. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage member on said frame, a cutter support mounted on saidY carriage for movement toward and away from the carriage, means to move said cutter support comprising a 'member passing therethrough and having its ends movably engaging the carriage member.

18. In a lgear cuttingmachine, a cutter, a workV support, automatically operable'means to feed? scribed, a cutter, a shaft upon which said cutter is mounted, index mechanism in which said shaft is carried and by which the shaft may be rotated, a yoke carrying said index mechanism, saidY yoke being pivoted for movement transversely of said shaft, and means to move said yoke about its pivot.

20. In a gear cutting machine, a main base, an auxiliary base slidable on said main base, a work base slidable on said main base, said auxiliary base and said work base being movable relatively lone to the other, and means on one of said membersengaging the other thereof to effect such relative movement;

21. In a gear cutting machine, a main base, an auxiliary base slidable on said main base, means secured to one of said members and engaging the other to move the auxiliary base on the main base, a work base also slidable on said main base, said auxiliary base and said work base being movable relatively one to the other, and means on one of said relatively movable members and engaging the other thereof to effect relative movement therebetween.

22. In a gear cutting machine, a main base, an auxiliary base slidable on said main base, means secured to one. of said members and engaging the other to move the auxiliary base on the main base, a work base also slidable on said main base, said auxiliary base and said'work base being movable relatively one to the other, and means on one of said relatively movable members and engaging the other thereof to effect relative movement therebetween, and means to connect said auxiliary base and said work base to prevent relative movement therebetween.

23, In a gear cutting machine, a main base, an auxiliary base slidable on said main base, means secured to one of said members and engaging the other to move the auxiliary base on the main base, a work base also slidable on said main base, said auxiliary base and said work base being movable relatively one to the other, and means on one of said relatively movable members and engaging the other thereof to effect relative movement therebetween', and means to connect' said auxiliary base and said' main base to prevent movement of the auxiliary base.

24'. In a gear cutting machine, a main base, an auxiliary base slidable on said main base, means secured to one of said members and engaging the other to move the auxiliary base on the main base, a work base also slidable on said main base, said auxiliary base and said'. work base being movable relatively one to the other, and means on one of said relatively movable members and engaging the other thereof to effect relative movement therebetween, and means to secure the auxiliary base against movement on the main base, and means to connect the auxiliary base with the work base to prevent relative movement therebetween.

25. In a gear generating machine, a rotatable blank support, a reciprocable pinion shaped cutter, means to continuously rotate said blank support and said cutter in unison, and means to draw said cutter away from vsaid blank support in a straight line at an acute angle to a line passing through the centers of said cutter and said blank support.

26. In a geargenerating machine, a rotatable blank support, a reci'procable pinion shaped cutter, means to continuously rotate said blank support and said cutter in unison, and means to draw said. cutter away from said blank support in a straight line directed at an angle toa cornmon center line passing through the centers of both said cutter and said blank support.

27. In a gear generating machine, a rotatable blank support, a reciprocable pinion shaped cuti ter, means to continuously rotate said blank support and said cutter in unison, and means to draw said cutter away from said blank support in a straig t line directed at an angle to a common center line passing through the centers of both said cutter and said blank support and in the direction of rotation'of said blank support.

28. In a gear generating machine, a rotatable blank support, a reciprocable pinion shaped cutter, means to continuously rotate said blank support and said cutter in unison, means to draw said cutter away from said blank support in a straight line to relieve its cutting edge both from the bottom and side of the groove being cut in the blank, said means comprising a cutter support slidable away from the blank both at right angles" to the face thereof and inclined in the direction of rotation of said blank support.

29. In a gear cutting machine of the type described, a frame, a reciprocable carriage on said frame, a cutter carrier, a cutter support mounted on saidcutter carrier for movement toward and away from the carriage to dispose a cutter on said cutter support in inoperative and operative position respectively, stop means to positively limit the movement of said cutter support away from said V'carriage' and means to move said cutter support comprising a positively movable part engaging both said support and cutter carrier by passing through one and into the other.

30. In a gear cutting machine, a cutter supporting member, a work supporting member, means to reciprocate said cutter supporting member axially with respect to said work supporting member, a mechanism to rotate said members in synchronism with each other and withthe reciprocating movement of said cutter supporting member, said mechanism comprising a worm, a worm wheel, and means to-adjust said worm relatively to said worm wheel by drawing their respective centers together, said last named means including cooperating at inclined surfaces slidable lengthwise one upon the other, and means to slide one of said inclined surfaces relatively to the other.

3l. In a gear cutting machine, a cutter supporting member, a work supporting member, means to reciprocate said cutter supporting member axially with respect to said work supporting member, a mechanism to rotate said members in synchronism with each other and with the reciprocating movement of said cutter` supporting member, said mechanism comprising a'worm, a worm wheel, and means to adjust said Worm relatively to said worm wheel by drawing their respective centers together, said last named means including a bearing support for said worm and a support for said worm wheel, each of'said supports having an inclined surface in slidable engagement with an inclined surface on the other.

' 32. In a gear cutting machine, a cutter supporting member, a work supporting member, means to reciprocate said cutter supporting member axially with respect' to said work supporting member, a mechanism to rotate said members in synchronism with each other and with the reciprocating movement of said cutter supporting member, said mechanism being mounted on said ported by said mechanism, a worm mounted upon said shaft, a worm Wheel adapted to mesh with said worm, and means to axially slide said shaft to adjust said Worm relatively to said worm wheel by drawing their respective centers together, said means including' cooperating inclined surfaces slidable lengthwise one upon the other. 33. In a gear cutting machine, a cutter supporting member, a Work supporting member, means to reciprocate said cutter supporting member axially with respect to said work supporting member, a mechanism to rotate said members in synchrenism with each other and with the reciprocating movement of saidA cutter supporting member, said mechanism being mounted on said machine and including a drive shaft supported by said mechanism, a worm mounted upon said shaft,- a worm wheel adapted to mesh with said worm, means to adjust said worm relatively to said worm wheel by drawing their respective centers together, said last Anamed means including a bearing support for said shaft and a support for said worm wheel, each of said supports having an inclined surface in slidable engagement with the inclined surface on the other, and means to slide said supports relatively to each other and axially with respect to said shaft.

34. In a gear cutting machine, a rotatable cutter mounted for reciprocating movement across the face of a gear blank, means to reciprocate said cutter, driving means for said reciprocating means, a rotatable work support, means to rotate said cutter and said work support in synchronism and to operate said cutter reciprocating means driving means including an electric motor, mechanism operable by loads in excess of the normal load upon one of Said synchronized rotatable elements to prevent damage to said machine, said mechanism comprising clutch means between said cutter and work rotating means and said motor, spring means to normally retain said clutch means in clutched position, and means to unclutch said clutch means when the load carried thereby is in excess of the force exerted by said spring means, and means operated by a part of said clutch means to stop said electric motor whereby said cutter reciprocating meansY is stopped.

35. In a gear cutting machine, a rotatable cutter mountedrfor reciprocating movement across the face of a gear blank, means to reciprocate l said cutter, driving means `for said reciprocating means, a rotatable Work support, means to rotate said cutter and said Vwork support in synl, chronism and to operate said cutter reciprocatthe load carried thereby is suflicient to 'overcome theforce exerted by said spring means, control means for said electric motor, and means actuated by the unclutching movement of said clutch means to operate said motor control means to stop said motor whereby said cutter recipro-` cating means is stopped.

' 36. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a` carriage reciprocably mounted on said frame, a threaded rod secured 'to said carriage and ex- 'tending lengthwise thereof, a cutter carrier slidably 4mounted on a face of said carriage, a rotatable member on said carrier having threads cooperating with the threads on said rod and gear teeth about its periphery, a gear in mesh Vwith the gear teeth on said member and a shaft to rotate said gear, `said shaft being mounted on said` carrier and extending away from said carriage and beyond said carrier.

37. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriage reciprocably mounted on said frame, an elongated member secured to said carriage and extending lengthwise thereof, a cutter carrier slidably mounted on aface of said carriage, a rotatable member on said carrier, said rotatable member being adapted to cooperate with said elongated member to slide said carrier along said carriage, and a shaftV in driving connection with said rotatable member, said shaft extending away from said carriage and beyond said carrier 38. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriage reciproca-bly mounted for horizontal movement on said frame', a cuttercarrier mounted on said carriage, a cutter support slidablymounted` on said carrier formovement toward and away from saidcarriage substantially at right angles to the direction of reciprocating movement thereof, means to so move said cutter Asupport relatively to the carriage comprising a memberslidably mounted in said carrier and in said support for movement substantially in a vertical plane, said member having an inclined surface in sliding engagement with the corresponding inclined surface on said carrier. l

39. In a gear cutting machinaa frame, a car-,-

riage reciprocably mounted for horizontal movement on'said frame, 'a cutter carrier mounted on said carriage, a cutter support slidably mounted on said carrier for movement toward and away from said carriage substantially at right angles to the direction of reciprocating movement thereof, means to so move said cutter support relatively to the carriage comprising a member slidably mounted in said carrier and in said support for movement substantially in a vertical plane, said member having an inclined surface in sliding engagement with the corresponding inclined surface on said carrier, and rotatable means engaging an end of said member to positively move said member in one direction. Y

40. In a gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriage'reciprocably mounted for horizontal movementon said framefa cutter carrier mounted on said carriage, a `cutter support slidably mountedon said carrierfor movement toward and away from said carriage Ysubstantially at right angles tothe directionof reciprocating movement thereof, means to so move said cutter support relaatively tothe carriage comprising a member slidably mounted in said cutter support for movement transverse to the direction of the aforesaid movement of said4 cutter support, said member having an inclined extension at each end thereof slidingly c disposed lwithin correspondingly in clinedV openings in said carrier.` y

`41.Ina.gear cutting machine, a frame, a carriage vrec'ziprocably mounted for horizontal movement on said frame, a cutter carrier mounted on said carriage, a cutter support slidably mounted on said carrier for movement toward and away from saidk carriage substantially at right angles to4 the direction of reciprocating movement thereof, means to so move said cutter support relatively to the carriage comprismg a member slidably mounted in said cuttersupport 

